1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis of the play involves Amir a corparte lawyer, his wife Emily a painter, Abe Amir's nephew, Issac a curator and Emily's friend, and Jory Issac's wife and fellow lawyer at the same firm Amir works at. It takes place at an apartment in upper east side, New York. The time is 2011 to 2012. The play opens with Emily painting Amir in the style of a Vasquez painting and his nephew Abe coming to him with a problem.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play, in my opinion happens at the beginng of Scene 3 with the article writen by the Times that suggest that he represents the imam. I think this because this was the inciting moment for Amir's angry drunkenness at the party and the loss of his job and almost all of the major events can be traced back to this moment.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of this play is this is the day that Abe comes to his uncle and asks him to meet with the iman and Amir begins to question who he is.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
"What is the role of Muslim men in today's America?"
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of exposition that everyone in the play knows is the way Abe is introduced in the play. Emily asks "Your nephew" and that makes it seem as though everyone knows exactly who this person is while providing the information to the audience. The other kind of exposition when only one character knows can be found in the violent tendencies that Amir displayed before the dinner party. Only the audience and Amir witness the scene where he smashes the cup and is still not satisfied by the violence and it provides a precursor to the violence in the climax of the play.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play is when Amir beats his wife. The act of pure rage seems to be Amir letting out all of his frustration about himself and his identity on to his wife, Emily.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some of the themes of the play are family, identity, religion, isolation, domestic violence, pride, art, racism, intolerance, infidelity, patriotism, and cultural appropriation.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
In the play Amir wants to help out his nephew, be a good husband, be a partner at his law firm and reconcile his identity and sense of belonging. Some of the obstacles that stand in his way are Him vs Himself, Him vs Others (Jory, Isaac), and Him vs Society (racism, the news).
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
One strong image in the play is at the end where Amir sits alone in his lofty apartment, things gone or packed away and him just staring at the portrait that his ex-wife made. The portrait is a recurring image that could represent how Amir is being defined by someone else (his white wife) and still trapped by the past. This image is also layered on top of the half empty apartment which ties into the play's title. What once was so full of life and things is now empty which goes for the apartment and Amir as he has lost everything, his family, his love, and his job. The image of Amir sitting by himself is also worth noting as it echos the fact that he has lost everything and his isolation.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The family relationships that are examined in the play are that of two interracial couples, an uncle and a nephew, an aunt-in-law in need of help and a nephew-in-law who was there for her. Also that of family found in friends and the betrayal of that relationship lack thereof.
The stasis of the play involves Amir a corparte lawyer, his wife Emily a painter, Abe Amir's nephew, Issac a curator and Emily's friend, and Jory Issac's wife and fellow lawyer at the same firm Amir works at. It takes place at an apartment in upper east side, New York. The time is 2011 to 2012. The play opens with Emily painting Amir in the style of a Vasquez painting and his nephew Abe coming to him with a problem.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion of the play, in my opinion happens at the beginng of Scene 3 with the article writen by the Times that suggest that he represents the imam. I think this because this was the inciting moment for Amir's angry drunkenness at the party and the loss of his job and almost all of the major events can be traced back to this moment.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor of this play is this is the day that Abe comes to his uncle and asks him to meet with the iman and Amir begins to question who he is.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
"What is the role of Muslim men in today's America?"
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of exposition that everyone in the play knows is the way Abe is introduced in the play. Emily asks "Your nephew" and that makes it seem as though everyone knows exactly who this person is while providing the information to the audience. The other kind of exposition when only one character knows can be found in the violent tendencies that Amir displayed before the dinner party. Only the audience and Amir witness the scene where he smashes the cup and is still not satisfied by the violence and it provides a precursor to the violence in the climax of the play.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play is when Amir beats his wife. The act of pure rage seems to be Amir letting out all of his frustration about himself and his identity on to his wife, Emily.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some of the themes of the play are family, identity, religion, isolation, domestic violence, pride, art, racism, intolerance, infidelity, patriotism, and cultural appropriation.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
In the play Amir wants to help out his nephew, be a good husband, be a partner at his law firm and reconcile his identity and sense of belonging. Some of the obstacles that stand in his way are Him vs Himself, Him vs Others (Jory, Isaac), and Him vs Society (racism, the news).
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
One strong image in the play is at the end where Amir sits alone in his lofty apartment, things gone or packed away and him just staring at the portrait that his ex-wife made. The portrait is a recurring image that could represent how Amir is being defined by someone else (his white wife) and still trapped by the past. This image is also layered on top of the half empty apartment which ties into the play's title. What once was so full of life and things is now empty which goes for the apartment and Amir as he has lost everything, his family, his love, and his job. The image of Amir sitting by himself is also worth noting as it echos the fact that he has lost everything and his isolation.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The family relationships that are examined in the play are that of two interracial couples, an uncle and a nephew, an aunt-in-law in need of help and a nephew-in-law who was there for her. Also that of family found in friends and the betrayal of that relationship lack thereof.